MK3S+ went rogue (distortion, spaghetti) overnight. Please help me!
Since assembly of the kit a month ago, I have been getting not perfect but usable prints off the printer. I assumed I could (learn to) fine-tune down the road. Simple files written in OpenSCAD were printing out fine. One of these files was a short, hollow cylinder with brackets along its two sides which is shown in photographs below.
Then overnight, the printer would not properly print any more. What used to be circular became oval. Stringings began occurring. No changes were made to the *scad file.
I tried the Wizard, Calibration of XYZ, Live Adjust Z, increasing bed temperature 5 degree, cleaning the print bed with IPA -- everything I can think of, but no fruitful result.
I backtracked and tried to print the Benchy that came with the SD card (and should not be corrupted, if file corruption was the problem) but had to abort half-way as the print became obviously horrible.
Could someone help and point me to the right direction?
Half-printed Benchy with orientation on print bed.
Closer view of half-printed Benchy
Distortion and stringing. Print supports were not yet removed.
Compared to "good", usable (not perfect) print.
Compared to "good", usable (not perfect) print.
RE: MK3S+ went rogue (distortion, spaghetti) overnight. Please help me!
Looks like layer shifting. First thing to check is the grub screws on your motor pulleys. If they werent properly tightened against the flat on the motor spindle they can come loose. Double check there is no play in them and if there is, tighten them down properly (loosen both grub screws, tighten the once against the flay making sure its square and only then tighten the second screw to lock the first in place).
Next would be checking the belt tensions although if that was ok before its less likely to be an issue.
Third step would be to move each axis by hand slowly back and forth and check that the movement is smooth, without resistance or hitches in any part of its travel. If not then you would need to take the axis apart and properly lubricate the bearings again.
RE: MK3S+ went rogue (distortion, spaghetti) overnight. Please help me!
Thank you, Neophyl. I tried your suggestions but have not found any significant symptom. Howevr, you are right. It is definitely layer shift.
I printed the squares test, Live Adjusted Z and tried re-printing my cylinder. First layer sticks then Y-axis began shifting. The Y motor and pulleys seem to be square and solid. I will take another, deeper look.
RE: MK3S+ went rogue (distortion, spaghetti) overnight. Please help me!
Check if servo motors are locked in position. I had one motor coming loose on another printer and that caused some distorsion,particularly visible on holes.
Watch the belts as motor changes direction, if you see like a wave forming you are likely to have distorsion issues.